Making Gay History
@makinggayhistory.bsky.social
We bring LGBTQ history to life through the voices of the people who lived it, including the Making Gay History podcast (makinggayhistory.org). Since 2016.
Pinned
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Join Making Gay History this fall for 4 exclusive in-person behind-the-scenes experiences, co-produced with Life Jacket Theatre Company.
Tickets: lifejackettheatre.org/mghlive
Tickets: lifejackettheatre.org/mghlive
Dick Leitsch always received a Christmas card from friend Jack Nichols, until one year, he didn’t.
"...I called ... people who usually I talk to ... and haven’t talked to lately, and eight out of 10 of them either have AIDS or their lovers have AIDS."
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-dick-lei...
"...I called ... people who usually I talk to ... and haven’t talked to lately, and eight out of 10 of them either have AIDS or their lovers have AIDS."
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-dick-lei...
December 12, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Dick Leitsch always received a Christmas card from friend Jack Nichols, until one year, he didn’t.
"...I called ... people who usually I talk to ... and haven’t talked to lately, and eight out of 10 of them either have AIDS or their lovers have AIDS."
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-dick-lei...
"...I called ... people who usually I talk to ... and haven’t talked to lately, and eight out of 10 of them either have AIDS or their lovers have AIDS."
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-dick-lei...
Greg Brock remembered of his childhood, growing up in Crystal Springs, Mississippi: “I was a sissy boy from the word ‘go.’ ... In fact, my birth certificate, I was marked as a girl. And that was always the running joke at family reunions.”
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-brock
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-brock
December 5, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Greg Brock remembered of his childhood, growing up in Crystal Springs, Mississippi: “I was a sissy boy from the word ‘go.’ ... In fact, my birth certificate, I was marked as a girl. And that was always the running joke at family reunions.”
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-brock
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-brock
DON'T MESS WITH THE MOMS!
That's the loud and clear message Jeanne Manford sent in a 1972 letter to the NY Post calling out city officials for not protecting her gay son, Morty, when he was beaten by the head of the firemen's union at a Gay Activists Alliance protest.
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-kameny
That's the loud and clear message Jeanne Manford sent in a 1972 letter to the NY Post calling out city officials for not protecting her gay son, Morty, when he was beaten by the head of the firemen's union at a Gay Activists Alliance protest.
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-kameny
December 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
DON'T MESS WITH THE MOMS!
That's the loud and clear message Jeanne Manford sent in a 1972 letter to the NY Post calling out city officials for not protecting her gay son, Morty, when he was beaten by the head of the firemen's union at a Gay Activists Alliance protest.
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-kameny
That's the loud and clear message Jeanne Manford sent in a 1972 letter to the NY Post calling out city officials for not protecting her gay son, Morty, when he was beaten by the head of the firemen's union at a Gay Activists Alliance protest.
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-kameny
Thanks to the wonderful audience members who came to QUEER QUIZ SHOW, and to Broadway star Adam Kantor, @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social's Ken Lustbader and Amanda Davis, and Ann Northrop (#GayUSA) for helping record our live mini-podcast recording of #MakingGayHistory. 🎤 🏳️🌈🎉
Photo Credit: Loris Guzzetta
Photo Credit: Loris Guzzetta
December 3, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Thanks to the wonderful audience members who came to QUEER QUIZ SHOW, and to Broadway star Adam Kantor, @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social's Ken Lustbader and Amanda Davis, and Ann Northrop (#GayUSA) for helping record our live mini-podcast recording of #MakingGayHistory. 🎤 🏳️🌈🎉
Photo Credit: Loris Guzzetta
Photo Credit: Loris Guzzetta
"What set Harvey apart from you or me was that he was a visionary. He imagined a righteous world inside his head and then he set about to create it for real, for all of us."
— Anne Kronenberg, campaign manager for Harvey Milk’s final run for public office, in 1977.
bit.ly/harveymilkmgh
— Anne Kronenberg, campaign manager for Harvey Milk’s final run for public office, in 1977.
bit.ly/harveymilkmgh
December 1, 2025 at 1:14 PM
"What set Harvey apart from you or me was that he was a visionary. He imagined a righteous world inside his head and then he set about to create it for real, for all of us."
— Anne Kronenberg, campaign manager for Harvey Milk’s final run for public office, in 1977.
bit.ly/harveymilkmgh
— Anne Kronenberg, campaign manager for Harvey Milk’s final run for public office, in 1977.
bit.ly/harveymilkmgh
Reposted by Making Gay History
Join us tonight w/ @makinggayhistory.bsky.social at @thestonewallinn.bsky.social! Our Project Director Ken Lustbader and Executive Director Amanda Davis will help with hosting duties. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
👉 bit.ly/47YKBYO
👉 bit.ly/47YKBYO
TONIGHT! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Earn a chance to win merch at our interactive QUEER QUIZ SHOW, and enjoy Broadway star Adam Kantor performing a number from Life Jacket Theater's THE GORGEOUS NOTHINGS 🎉📚🏆
TICKETS: bit.ly/47YKBYO
Co-Sponsors: @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social + @thestonewallinn.bsky.social
TICKETS: bit.ly/47YKBYO
Co-Sponsors: @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social + @thestonewallinn.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Join us tonight w/ @makinggayhistory.bsky.social at @thestonewallinn.bsky.social! Our Project Director Ken Lustbader and Executive Director Amanda Davis will help with hosting duties. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
👉 bit.ly/47YKBYO
👉 bit.ly/47YKBYO
TONIGHT! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Earn a chance to win merch at our interactive QUEER QUIZ SHOW, and enjoy Broadway star Adam Kantor performing a number from Life Jacket Theater's THE GORGEOUS NOTHINGS 🎉📚🏆
TICKETS: bit.ly/47YKBYO
Co-Sponsors: @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social + @thestonewallinn.bsky.social
TICKETS: bit.ly/47YKBYO
Co-Sponsors: @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social + @thestonewallinn.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 4:47 PM
TONIGHT! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Earn a chance to win merch at our interactive QUEER QUIZ SHOW, and enjoy Broadway star Adam Kantor performing a number from Life Jacket Theater's THE GORGEOUS NOTHINGS 🎉📚🏆
TICKETS: bit.ly/47YKBYO
Co-Sponsors: @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social + @thestonewallinn.bsky.social
TICKETS: bit.ly/47YKBYO
Co-Sponsors: @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social + @thestonewallinn.bsky.social
On November 18, 1967, a young Craig Rodwell announced the opening of the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, at 291 Mercer Street in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood.
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-rodwell
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-rodwell
November 19, 2025 at 10:11 PM
On November 18, 1967, a young Craig Rodwell announced the opening of the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, at 291 Mercer Street in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood.
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-rodwell
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-rodwell
11/20: CALLING ALL LGBTQ+ HISTORY FANS! Meet new friends and earn the chance to win fabulous MGH merch during this fun, high-energy, and interactive QUEER QUIZ SHOW testing your knowledge of LGBTQ+ history. 🎉📚🏆
bit.ly/47YKBYO
Co-Sponsors: @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social + The Stonewall Inn
bit.ly/47YKBYO
Co-Sponsors: @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social + The Stonewall Inn
November 17, 2025 at 3:49 PM
11/20: CALLING ALL LGBTQ+ HISTORY FANS! Meet new friends and earn the chance to win fabulous MGH merch during this fun, high-energy, and interactive QUEER QUIZ SHOW testing your knowledge of LGBTQ+ history. 🎉📚🏆
bit.ly/47YKBYO
Co-Sponsors: @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social + The Stonewall Inn
bit.ly/47YKBYO
Co-Sponsors: @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social + The Stonewall Inn
Reposted by Making Gay History
Another adventure around the sun! ☀ The entire MGH team invites our community of listeners and history-makers to join us in wishing Eric the happiest of birthdays! 🎉
Share a social post or the link to your favorite podcast episode with someone who might be experiencing MGH for the first time.
Share a social post or the link to your favorite podcast episode with someone who might be experiencing MGH for the first time.
November 12, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Another adventure around the sun! ☀ The entire MGH team invites our community of listeners and history-makers to join us in wishing Eric the happiest of birthdays! 🎉
Share a social post or the link to your favorite podcast episode with someone who might be experiencing MGH for the first time.
Share a social post or the link to your favorite podcast episode with someone who might be experiencing MGH for the first time.
Another adventure around the sun! ☀ The entire MGH team invites our community of listeners and history-makers to join us in wishing Eric the happiest of birthdays! 🎉
Share a social post or the link to your favorite podcast episode with someone who might be experiencing MGH for the first time.
Share a social post or the link to your favorite podcast episode with someone who might be experiencing MGH for the first time.
November 12, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Another adventure around the sun! ☀ The entire MGH team invites our community of listeners and history-makers to join us in wishing Eric the happiest of birthdays! 🎉
Share a social post or the link to your favorite podcast episode with someone who might be experiencing MGH for the first time.
Share a social post or the link to your favorite podcast episode with someone who might be experiencing MGH for the first time.
And the winner is ... Meredith Mann! Baking for NYPL archives, Meredith’s Lavender Menace-inspired confection, served at our BAKING GAY HISTORY CHAMPIONSHIP, was the perfect blend of historical significance and, well, delicious sugar 💜🧁 Thank you to all who joined us at The Stonewall Inn.
November 12, 2025 at 11:40 PM
And the winner is ... Meredith Mann! Baking for NYPL archives, Meredith’s Lavender Menace-inspired confection, served at our BAKING GAY HISTORY CHAMPIONSHIP, was the perfect blend of historical significance and, well, delicious sugar 💜🧁 Thank you to all who joined us at The Stonewall Inn.
11/20: Meet new friends, compete in small teams and earn the chance to win fabulous MGH merch during this fun, high-energy, and interactive QUEER QUIZ SHOW testing your knowledge of LGBTQ+ history. 🏳️🌈🤓📚🏳️⚧️
lifejackettheatre.org/mghlive
Co-Sponsors: @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social + The Stonewall Inn
lifejackettheatre.org/mghlive
Co-Sponsors: @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social + The Stonewall Inn
November 12, 2025 at 1:32 PM
11/20: Meet new friends, compete in small teams and earn the chance to win fabulous MGH merch during this fun, high-energy, and interactive QUEER QUIZ SHOW testing your knowledge of LGBTQ+ history. 🏳️🌈🤓📚🏳️⚧️
lifejackettheatre.org/mghlive
Co-Sponsors: @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social + The Stonewall Inn
lifejackettheatre.org/mghlive
Co-Sponsors: @nyclgbtsites.bsky.social + The Stonewall Inn
The March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights stepped off #OnThisDate 1979. An estimated 100,000 people from around the country had streamed into the nation’s capital, all united to advance five primary demands... 1/3
October 14, 2025 at 7:31 PM
The March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights stepped off #OnThisDate 1979. An estimated 100,000 people from around the country had streamed into the nation’s capital, all united to advance five primary demands... 1/3
Reposted by Making Gay History
Will YOU be NYC’s Gay Baking Champion? 🧁 🏳️🌈Watch NYC’S best amateur bakers vie for the grand prize, showcasing delicious baked goods celebrating key chapters and icons of LGBTQ+ history.
Stay for a live “Making Gay History” mini-podcast interview w/ an LGBTQ+ icon!
👉 lifejackettheatre.org/mghlive
Stay for a live “Making Gay History” mini-podcast interview w/ an LGBTQ+ icon!
👉 lifejackettheatre.org/mghlive
October 13, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Will YOU be NYC’s Gay Baking Champion? 🧁 🏳️🌈Watch NYC’S best amateur bakers vie for the grand prize, showcasing delicious baked goods celebrating key chapters and icons of LGBTQ+ history.
Stay for a live “Making Gay History” mini-podcast interview w/ an LGBTQ+ icon!
👉 lifejackettheatre.org/mghlive
Stay for a live “Making Gay History” mini-podcast interview w/ an LGBTQ+ icon!
👉 lifejackettheatre.org/mghlive
Will YOU be NYC’s Gay Baking Champion? 🧁 🏳️🌈Watch NYC’S best amateur bakers vie for the grand prize, showcasing delicious baked goods celebrating key chapters and icons of LGBTQ+ history.
Stay for a live “Making Gay History” mini-podcast interview w/ an LGBTQ+ icon!
👉 lifejackettheatre.org/mghlive
Stay for a live “Making Gay History” mini-podcast interview w/ an LGBTQ+ icon!
👉 lifejackettheatre.org/mghlive
October 13, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Will YOU be NYC’s Gay Baking Champion? 🧁 🏳️🌈Watch NYC’S best amateur bakers vie for the grand prize, showcasing delicious baked goods celebrating key chapters and icons of LGBTQ+ history.
Stay for a live “Making Gay History” mini-podcast interview w/ an LGBTQ+ icon!
👉 lifejackettheatre.org/mghlive
Stay for a live “Making Gay History” mini-podcast interview w/ an LGBTQ+ icon!
👉 lifejackettheatre.org/mghlive
When organizers of the inaugural National #ComingOut Day in 1988 asked Greg Brock to participate in a live taping of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," he saw no need.
At the time, Greg was the highest level openly gay person working at a mainstream newspaper anywhere in the US.
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-brock
At the time, Greg was the highest level openly gay person working at a mainstream newspaper anywhere in the US.
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-brock
October 13, 2025 at 1:12 PM
When organizers of the inaugural National #ComingOut Day in 1988 asked Greg Brock to participate in a live taping of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," he saw no need.
At the time, Greg was the highest level openly gay person working at a mainstream newspaper anywhere in the US.
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-brock
At the time, Greg was the highest level openly gay person working at a mainstream newspaper anywhere in the US.
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-brock
#ICYMI: Thanks to the Museum of Jewish Heritage for hosting Eric's presentation of “Making Gay History: The Nazi Era."
Together, we listened and made space for the voices of those who lived through this painful, often hidden history.
Listen to the season: makinggayhistory.org/season-fourt...
Together, we listened and made space for the voices of those who lived through this painful, often hidden history.
Listen to the season: makinggayhistory.org/season-fourt...
October 9, 2025 at 8:29 PM
#ICYMI: Thanks to the Museum of Jewish Heritage for hosting Eric's presentation of “Making Gay History: The Nazi Era."
Together, we listened and made space for the voices of those who lived through this painful, often hidden history.
Listen to the season: makinggayhistory.org/season-fourt...
Together, we listened and made space for the voices of those who lived through this painful, often hidden history.
Listen to the season: makinggayhistory.org/season-fourt...
Thanks to the sold-out audience who came out to watch THE QUEEN for Movie Night, and for participating in our live mini-podcast recording of #MakingGayHistory. 🎤👠💋👑
🎟️ Three more events are scheduled for this season! #MakingGayHistoryLive 👇
linktr.ee/makinggayhistorypodcast
📷 Loris Guzzetta
🎟️ Three more events are scheduled for this season! #MakingGayHistoryLive 👇
linktr.ee/makinggayhistorypodcast
📷 Loris Guzzetta
October 9, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Thanks to the sold-out audience who came out to watch THE QUEEN for Movie Night, and for participating in our live mini-podcast recording of #MakingGayHistory. 🎤👠💋👑
🎟️ Three more events are scheduled for this season! #MakingGayHistoryLive 👇
linktr.ee/makinggayhistorypodcast
📷 Loris Guzzetta
🎟️ Three more events are scheduled for this season! #MakingGayHistoryLive 👇
linktr.ee/makinggayhistorypodcast
📷 Loris Guzzetta
“It's really hard not to have dysphoria about being trans if you're living in a society that tells you every day that being trans is wrong.” —Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth
Listen to all of "DISMANTLING A DIAGNOSIS" now. 👇
🔉 makinggayhistory.org/season-thirt...
Listen to all of "DISMANTLING A DIAGNOSIS" now. 👇
🔉 makinggayhistory.org/season-thirt...
Fifty-one years after homosexuality’s removal from the American Psychiatric Association’s list of mental disorders—a major gay rights victory—mental health literature continues to pathologize trans people.
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-out-of-t...
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-out-of-t...
October 8, 2025 at 5:32 PM
“It's really hard not to have dysphoria about being trans if you're living in a society that tells you every day that being trans is wrong.” —Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth
Listen to all of "DISMANTLING A DIAGNOSIS" now. 👇
🔉 makinggayhistory.org/season-thirt...
Listen to all of "DISMANTLING A DIAGNOSIS" now. 👇
🔉 makinggayhistory.org/season-thirt...
Reposted by Making Gay History
Kick off #LGBTQHistoryMonth by going back to the very beginning, where #MakingGayHistory began nearly eight years ago. And stay tuned all month long for clips from our archive of interviews with LGBTQ trailblazers!
🔉 makinggayhistory.org/season-one/
🔉 makinggayhistory.org/season-one/
October 2, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Kick off #LGBTQHistoryMonth by going back to the very beginning, where #MakingGayHistory began nearly eight years ago. And stay tuned all month long for clips from our archive of interviews with LGBTQ trailblazers!
🔉 makinggayhistory.org/season-one/
🔉 makinggayhistory.org/season-one/
Fifty-one years after homosexuality’s removal from the American Psychiatric Association’s list of mental disorders—a major gay rights victory—mental health literature continues to pathologize trans people.
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-out-of-t...
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-out-of-t...
October 7, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Fifty-one years after homosexuality’s removal from the American Psychiatric Association’s list of mental disorders—a major gay rights victory—mental health literature continues to pathologize trans people.
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-out-of-t...
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-out-of-t...
An early example of LGBTQ+ students looking to create their own spaces came in an ad placed by Henry Wiemhoff #OTD 1969: "2 Gay Students Wanted to Share 5 Rm Unfrn. Apt."
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-mattachi...
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-mattachi...
October 3, 2025 at 10:03 PM
An early example of LGBTQ+ students looking to create their own spaces came in an ad placed by Henry Wiemhoff #OTD 1969: "2 Gay Students Wanted to Share 5 Rm Unfrn. Apt."
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-mattachi...
🔊 bit.ly/mgh-mattachi...
Kick off #LGBTQHistoryMonth by going back to the very beginning, where #MakingGayHistory began nearly eight years ago. And stay tuned all month long for clips from our archive of interviews with LGBTQ trailblazers!
🔉 makinggayhistory.org/season-one/
🔉 makinggayhistory.org/season-one/
October 2, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Kick off #LGBTQHistoryMonth by going back to the very beginning, where #MakingGayHistory began nearly eight years ago. And stay tuned all month long for clips from our archive of interviews with LGBTQ trailblazers!
🔉 makinggayhistory.org/season-one/
🔉 makinggayhistory.org/season-one/
THIS SUNDAY, Eric's presenting “Making Gay History: The Nazi Era” as a featured speaker at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
RSVP (in-person/online) to learn more about (pictured) Margot Heuman, Josef Kohout, Liddy Bacroff, Fredy Hirsch, and others.
RSVP: bit.ly/mjh-nazi-era
RSVP (in-person/online) to learn more about (pictured) Margot Heuman, Josef Kohout, Liddy Bacroff, Fredy Hirsch, and others.
RSVP: bit.ly/mjh-nazi-era
October 2, 2025 at 10:28 PM
THIS SUNDAY, Eric's presenting “Making Gay History: The Nazi Era” as a featured speaker at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
RSVP (in-person/online) to learn more about (pictured) Margot Heuman, Josef Kohout, Liddy Bacroff, Fredy Hirsch, and others.
RSVP: bit.ly/mjh-nazi-era
RSVP (in-person/online) to learn more about (pictured) Margot Heuman, Josef Kohout, Liddy Bacroff, Fredy Hirsch, and others.
RSVP: bit.ly/mjh-nazi-era